Over the last six weeks we conducted a large-scale talent search for future stars and up-and-comers across YouTube, looking for the YouTubers who have what it takes to be tomorrow’s stars.

We’d like to introduce you to the first classes of YouTube NextUp and the YouTube Creator Institute: 45 creators who’ve demonstrated passion, talent and huge potential in video making across a range of genres.

The group comes from across the nation, from big cities and small towns in Iowa, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, California and more. While many have film and editing backgrounds, they’re from all walks of life - a former lawyer, international chef, a spoken word artist and more. The group was selected through a combination of YouTubers, our institutional partners, and the hundreds of thousands who voted and helped these stars take off!

YouTube NextUp is a development program for up-and-coming YouTube Partners with a growing fan base and great content, who are ready to become the next stars. The 25 YouTubers selected from across the country will be given $35,000 to advance their YouTube careers and global promotion across the platform. They’ll also travel to New York City to attend the first YouTube Creator Camp for personalized training and mentoring to build their brands and improve their content.

YouTube Creator Institute is a program for aspiring content creators to hone their digital media skills, while receiving the tools and promotion needed to be the next major players in the industry. The 10 selected participants for each of the two programs will receive a new media education at top institutions, the USC School of Cinematic Arts and Columbia College Chicago. They’ll work with renowned faculty, industry leaders, stars and many others while they begin building their brands and audiences.

Keep watching for news from the YouTube Next team this summer as we unveil new surprises for you around programs and the creators’ content all over the world.